In The News

An Interview with John Dramani Mahama

John Dramani Mahama February 18, 2013
In an interview with Nayan Chanda, Ghana's Vice President John Dramani Mahama, now President, says how stigma of homosexuality hampers fighting AIDS, talks about the role of telecommunication in political transformation, voices concern about NATO attacks on Libya, and Ghana's effort to avoid the curse of wealth from natural resources. – YaleGlobal

Heading South?

Niveen Wahish February 15, 2013
A thriving national economy requires a political system that’s supported, or at least tolerated, by citizens. Political instability is threatening the Egyptian economy, driving inflation and deterring foreign investment. Currency woes contribute to shortages of basic commodities that could add to more unrest. “People needing to change hard currency into Egyptian pounds are now going to the black...

Mali Islamists Seize Town Amid French Intervention

February 7, 2013
France has launched military intervention in Mali, a former colony, with the hope of rousting extremists who control most of the northern half the country. France also asked the UN Security Council to convene as the Mali military is flailing to maintain control. Despite strikes by French warplanes, militants took control of Diabaly. “Rebels of the al-Qaeda-linked Movement for Oneness and Jihad in...

Nations Can Try Promotion – Not Protectionism

Anthony P. D’Costa February 4, 2013
Competition among national governments to promote their markets in the global economy is increasingly intense. Governments are expected to regulate markets to reduce instabilities. In their pursuit of growth, many governments are timid, failing to govern their economies – missing global challenges and opportunities while neglecting social protections. Anthony D’Costa, professor and research...

Growth Without Equity Roils South Africa

Haroon Bhorat, Morné Oosthuizen, Anne Kamau February 1, 2013
Labor unrest does not attract foreign investment. South Africa must subdue strikes in its mining industry before unrest spreads to other sectors while addressing the challenges of a high unemployment rate and dire poverty, argue researchers Haroon Bhorat, Morné Oosthuizen and Anne Kamau. South Africa is the world’s biggest producer of gold and platinum. The strikes are both reducing gold and...

Europe in North Africa – Recolonize or Rescue?

Jonathan Fenby January 23, 2013
Amid a severe currency crisis and other economic struggles, cooperation of the European Union, the very union itself, is being tested with the rise of Islamist radicalism in North Africa. France has forcefully intervened to assist Mali troops against extremists who have taken over the northern half of the country, demonstrating a willingness to attack civilians, destroy cultural icons and lash...

The Al Qaeda Menace in Africa

Bruce Riedel January 21, 2013
Throughout 2011, protests that came to be known as the Arab Spring swept through Northern Africa and the Middle East. NATO stepped in on the Libyan protests, restricted to civilian protection. But the US gave a nod to Qatar sending machine guns, ammunition to rebels in the Libyan rebels; France provided guns and grenades, too. Because of looting and trade, weapons intended for rebels and civilian...